BUSINESS Business Roundup ShareShare onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail C&EN, 2021, 99 (2), p 9January 11, 2021Cite this:C&EN 99, 2, 9AbstractAscend has purchased the French nylon compounder Eurostar Engineering Plastics, which specializes in halogen-free flame retardant formulations. Last year, Ascend bought two compounders in Italy and one in China. Botanical Solution , a Davis, California–based start-up, has raised $3.3 million in a seed round of funding. BSI derives its lead product, a biofungicide, from young, lab-grown Quillaja saponaria trees; it can use the same plant system to produce the vaccine adjuvant QS-21. Versalis , the chemical subsidiary of Italian energy firm Eni, has appointed Adriano Alfani, a former Dow executive, its new CEO. Alfani, who started in the role Jan. 1, succeeded Daniele Ferrari, who held the position for almost 10 years. Entegris says it will spend about $200 million to expand its facility in Taiwan over the next 5 years. The electronic materials firm says the project will increase output of filters, chemicals used to make semiconductors, and gasView: PDF | Full Text HTML